An e-mail found on the computers of deceased FARC military head “Mono Jojoy” says that two police hostages escaped from FARC captivity in 2009, but were recaptured a month later.
President Santos confirmed Monday that the two men were recaptured by the FARC on October 16, 2009, after escaping on September 15.
The FARC has not issued a statement on the matter.
Newspaper El Tiempo reported on Monday that the families of the two men are demanding that the FARC clarify the status of the non-commissioned police officers, who reportedly escaped after ten years in captivity.
Jose Libardo Forero and Jorge Trujillo Solarte were kidnapped in the department of Meta in 1999, and according to records obtained by El Tiempo, Mono Jojoy confirmed their escape nearly 12 months ago, but nothing has been heard from the officers since their escape.
“There is no evidence of what happened to them. Is it possible that they were recaptured, and are being held somewhere?” asked Forero’s mother, Ana Dolores Carrera.
An email allegedly written by Mono Jojoy suggested that the FARC expected the escaped police to come back to attack the guerrillas, “We think that they left, and that they are planning to hit us, which is why the news has not come out yet. There are two and not three of them as reported earlier. We are taking all necessary steps.”
Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera said, “In this case, as in all cases of kidnapping, the FARC are the only ones responsible for the lives and safety of those kidnapped. It is appropriate for the FARC to tell the country what happened to these officers.”
The authorities have launched several search operations for the two men.
Santos said Monday that he had spoken to the families of both men, and told them “we will not rest for one minute” until the hostages are free.
The FARC has refused to cease violence and kidnappings, the precondition the Santos administration set out for peace talks to take place.
Rivera explained, “As long as there are terrorist acts, it is not worth the trouble to consider the supposed policy goals of the FARC.”
